President seeks Myanmar's coop for Rohingya return

President Md Abdul Hamid sought Myanmar's cooperation on Tuesday for repatriation of the Rohingya people, reports BSS.

The President sought the cooperation when newly-appointed Ambassador of Myanmar to Bangladesh U Lwin Oo presented credentials to him at an impressive ceremony at Bangabhaban in the city afternoon.

"The President sought active initiative and cooperation of the newly-appointed Myanmar envoy to repatriate the Rohingyas, who fled to Bangladesh from their Rakhine state homeland," President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told the news agency.

President Hamid expressed the hope that the repatriation process would end during the envoy's tenure in Dhaka.

He said Bangladesh always put emphasis on friendly relations with all neighbouring countries.

President Hamid hoped that the bilateral relations between the two countries would be strengthened in future.

Earlier, French Ambassador in Bangladesh Marie-Annick Bourdin also presented his credentials to the President.

Welcoming the French envoy, the president recalled with gratitude the contribution of France to Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971 and subsequently its recognition of Bangladesh as an independent country on February 14 in 1972.

Terming the existing relationship between Bangladesh and France 'excellent', Abdul Hamid hoped that bilateral trade and investment would further be boosted in the days ahead.

Noting that France is a tested friend of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid said the recent visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister to France further strengthened the relations between the two countries.

Earlier, on their arrival at Bangabhaban, the two envoys were given guards of honour separately by a horse-mounted contingent of the President Guard Regiment (PGR). The national anthems of Bangladesh and their respective countries were played on the occasion.